João Afonso Fialho
Integra a VdA em 2015. Sócio Responsável pela área de Oil&Gas. Nos últimos 20 anos esteve envolvido em todo o tipo de projetos e operações de petróleo e gás em várias jurisdições, nomeadamente Timor-Leste, Angola, Portugal, Moçambique, República do Congo, República Democrática do Congo, Guiné-Bissau e São Tomé e Príncipe. Tem trabalhado ativamente nos setores de energia (em projetos de upstream/downstream de oil&gas) e indústrias de mineração.
Orador frequente em eventos internacionais de oil&gas upstream e downstream. Tem um conhecimento detalhado e exaustivo dos projetos e transacções tipo da indústria, desde contratos de partilha de produção, convénios, JOAs, contratos operacionais, contratos de unitização, contratos de serviços, contratos de FPSO, contratos de sistemas de transporte por dutos, armazenamento, coleta e interconexão acordos, engenharia, contratos de construção e de adquisição, distribuição e acordos de venda e compra. No que diz respeito ao setor de oil&gas em particular, tem estado envolvido nas jurisdições acima referidas em representação tanto de operadores como de empresas de serviços de exploração e extração petrolífera.
Licenciatura em Direito pela Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Lisboa.
Frequentou o programa curricular do Mestrado em Direito Comercial Internacional da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Lisboa.
Antes de integrar a VdA trabalhou na firma de Tomás Rocha (1993-1997), Miranda Correia Amendoeira & Associados (1997-2015) onde assessorou diversas empresas petrolíferas no negócio de downstream e foi membro da prática oil&gas upstream e downstream, respetivamente. Foi membro de direção com diferentes posições entre 2007 e 2015.
Autor e coautor de vários artigos sobre questões jurídicas e tendências que impactam as áreas de Energia, Mineração e Investimento Privado, nomeadamente:
- “Petroleum Africa, Minerals & Mining, The Mining Law Review” (três edições);
- Publicações AIPN;
- “Getting the Deal Through Mining” (2011 a 2014).
Inscrito na Ordem dos Advogados Portugueses.
Membro da Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.
Inscrito no Conselho de Gestão e Disciplina da Advocacia de Timor-Leste.
Membro do Conselho de Administração do World Initiative of Mining Lawyers (2014-2018).
Presidente do Conselho Diretor da Associação das Sociedades de Advogados de Portugal (2014-2019).
Inglês, Francês, Espanhol.
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Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight -
Chambers Global
International Firms: Angola General Business Law | Expertise Based Abroad - Band 1
Band 1International Firms: Timor-Leste General Business Law | Expertise Based Abroad -
Band 2Portugal: Projects - Band 1
Foreign Expert for Angola | Spotlight -
Legal 500
Angola | Foreign Firms - Tier 1
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Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Projects - Band 1
International Firms: Angola General Business Law | Expertise Based Abroad - Band 1
International Firms: Timor-Leste General Business Law | Expertise Based Abroad - Band 2
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IFLR 1000
M&A 2025 - Tier 1
Highly regarded -
Legal 500
Angola | Foreign Firms - Tier 1
Leading PartnerPortugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Practice Head
-
Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight"João Afonso Fialho possesses a strong strategic focus and is a good negotiator. He is very knowledgeable in the Angolan jurisdiction." -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Projects (Foreign Expertise) -
Foreign Expert"João Afonso Fialho has extensive experience in handling projects with cross-border elements, often involving Angola. He regularly advises clients in the energy as well as oil and gas sectors."Angola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Portugal expertise based abroad -
IFLR 1000
M&A 2024 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded"João has been involved in the last 20 years in all sort of oil&gas projects and transactions in various jurisdictions, such as Timor-Leste, Angola, Portugal, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, DRC, Guinea Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe. He is mainly focused on the energy (oil&gas upstream/downstream and power projects) and mining industries." -
Legal 500
Portugal | Projects and Project Finance - Tier 1
Key LawyerAngola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Leading Individual"João Afonso Fialho is excellent and is more than a legal advisor due to his experience in commercial matters."Portugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Practice Head
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Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight Table"João Afonso Fialho is a very strong and reliable person with significant knowledge and experience; He is an expert in his field and a strong negotiator." -
Chambers Global
Angola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Expertise based abroad in PortugalEquatorial Guinea: General Business Law - Band 1
Notable PractitionerGuinea-Bissau: General Business Law: International Firms - Spotlight
Notable PractitionerPortugal: Projects - Band 1
Foreign Expert for Angola -
IFLR 1000
M&A 2023 - Tier 1
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International Tax Review
World Tax | Indirect Tax 2023 - Tier 1
WT - Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Projects and Project Finance - Tier 1
Key lawyerMozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Leading IndividualsAngola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Practice headPortugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Practice head
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Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight Table -
Chambers Global
Angola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Band 1"I enjoy working with him - he is knowledgeable in Angolan law and responsive."Portugal: Projects - Band 1
Foreign Expert for Angola -
IFLR 1000
M&A 2022 - Tier 1
Highly RegardedM&A (31st Edition) - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Indirect Tax 2022 - Tier 1
WT - Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Projects and Project Finance - Tier 1
RecommendedMozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Leading IndividualAngola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended"Joao is very responsive."
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Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight Table -
Chambers Global
Angola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Band 1"It's hard to find a better set of lawyers that know Angola like they do."Portugal: Projects - Band 1
Foreign Expert for Angola (Spotlight Table) -
IFLR 1000
Mergers and acquisitions - Tier 1
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Legal 500
Portugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Recommended LawyersMozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended LawyerAngola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended LawyerPortugal | Projects and Project Finance - Tier 1
Recommended Lawyers
-
Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight Table -
Chambers Global
Angola: General Business Law Department - Band 2
Band 1"Vast, detailed knowledge of Angolan legislation as well as its standing under international laws." "Expertise in the complexities of mining legislation."Portugal: Projects - Band 1
Foreign Expertise | Angola -
IFLR 1000
M&A - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Angola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended LawyerPortugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Recommended Lawyers"Extremely competent."Portugal | Public law - Tier 1
"Raul da Mota Cerveira and João Afonso Fialho have impeccable manners and build a true partnership with clients."